Room temperature gas phase absorption cross sections for SO, have been
measured over the wavelength range 195 to 330 nm using a diode array
spectrometer. The SO, spectrum is continuous with weak diffuse vibrati
onal band structure in the 225 to 295 nm region. Atmospheric photolysi
s rate calculations show that photolysis of SO, in the 190 to 230 nm a
ctinic window is important in determining the sulfur partitioning in t
he upper stratosphere.